What can I do about my dogs next to daycare?
Question by Kriquette W: What can I do about my dogs next to daycare?
Ok, trying to make long story short. I have 3 dogs, and I rent the apartment (and fenced yard) next to my daughters daycare. My landlord is also daycare owner. My dogs go outside and the kids have been throwing rocks, digging under the fence, sticking fingers through,and generally taunting/teasing my dogs. I have spoken with daycare director at least 3 other times, and today. My adult dog is becoming very agitated (understandably)when the kids tease her, and I’m trying to prevent someone getting hurt (absolute worst case senario). Today I spoke with her again and she will not just tell the teachers to keep the kids back from the fence. “Its their play space too”. The owner was also in the discussion, but is very passive, and while she agreed with me, wouldn’t lay down the law. What else can I do to protect my dogs? (My adult is a Pit so if anything happens she would get blamed)
The owner knows what dogs I have, and has no problem with Pits (she has/had Rotts, Dobes, GSD, etc). She agrees with me that the solution is to keep the kids away from the fence. No big deal. Her director is who is making a huge deal out of it. She does not like Pits. The owner is kind of a pushover, and wont lay down the law and say keep the kids away from the fence. I’m looking for suggestions on who I can call to find out how I can solve this, as I am doing everything a responsible pet owner and tenant can possibly do. I am also trying to cover my and my dog’s behind should something happen. Like I said, because she’s a Pit, she’s already condemned, even if the teasing has been going on for months (i’ll move before I allow that, but just an example) So any suggestions would be more than welcome!!
I love the daycare, on a regular basis. The sticking point is the director right now. The owner is pretty much a pushover, so idk what to do. I’ve spoken to the teachers, the problem being they continue to be lazy and not watch whether the kids are by the fence or not. (or whether they are teasing the dogs are not). I have never seen more than 2 other parents actually come to the center. The rest of the kids are taken home on the vans. So not really an option there. How would I start documenting this? I could videotape it, but as far as keeping track of formally telling the director in writing there is a problem what all do I need? I’m calling a few lawyers tomorrow, as well as a tenant rescource center, and the state dept. of licensing to see legally what can be done.
The fence is 8ft, chainlink, with privacy slats, but kids can still stick fingers through. And there is no way I can pay to put up a fence, and the landlord will not either (and shouldn’t have to). She just put siding on house, central air in, and finished fencing in backyard specifically for the dogs.
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I’m assuming this fence is a chain link fence? Is there a way the landlord would consider putting up a 6′ wooden fence? Or maybe you can offer to pay for part of the materials and labor?
What do you think? Answer below!
lady di
12 Dec, 2011
an extra privacy fence high enough to prevent tossed rocks.
dogs in house during kids yard time.
you stand guard on out side of your fence
you go & try to teach kids that its cruel to tease dogs
Pooh
12 Dec, 2011
put a eletrical wire around the fence.
lol i am just kidding.
1st put a beware of dog sign, that way if your dogs harm anyone it wont be your fault. another thing you could do is put screen around the fence so that the children cannot put there fingers in the fence anymore.People will probly look at you as the bad person here but what they have to relize is that as long as you pay your rent that is your property! therefore you shouldnt have to deal with this. but now that you are… calling lawyers wont help any most likely they will just tell you that it is the daycare’s land just as the other side is yours. try making a temporaly cheap fence 2 feet away from where the children are and just end it all….
Jennifer M
12 Dec, 2011
I think videoing it is an excellent idea. That way if anything ever did happen you have video evidence that the children are doing things that might provoke the dogs. Also, if you can get the teachers ignoring the problem or even possibly you asking the teachers to please keep the children away from the dogs and their reactions.
I don’t knw if any of this might actually help you legally, BUT you could show it to the owner and the state licensing board. In my state, they would take something like this VERY seriously. Possibly even making th edaycare put up their own fence.
I know it is a sucky solution, but for the time being, I would keep your dogs inside while the children are outside. I understand your concerns.
The daycare director and the teachers are being negligent. Pure and simple. You are right though…if your dog were to do anything…the blame would fall on you/her.
I think your plan of phone calls tomorrow is a good course of action. See what they have to say and go from there. It seems to me that you and your dogs have the right to live in your home where youa re paying rent without being harrassed (your dog) or in a state of constant worry (you!).
Good luck. I hope your phone calls get you somewhere.
Drew
12 Dec, 2011
You’ve done more then you need to. if needed, maybe you can put a stone wall up, no way they would get through that.